THE BRITISH and Irish Lions have welcomed Australia’s decision to release two Wallabies back to the Reds amid rising tension between the rivals’ top brass.

The Wallabies released hooker Matt Faessler and centre Hunter Paisami from camp on Wednesday, allowing the pair to return to the Queensland Reds ahead of a match against the British & Irish Lions in Brisbane next week.

The Lions chief executive, Ben Calveley, has made clear the touring side expect Australia head coach Joe Schmidt to make his national players available for their Super Rugby teams before the Test series commencing next month and the host nation has been gently reminded of that contractual detail following the Lions’ arrival in Australia.